Garaventa and Frey Stans grow together and combine their strengths

The Doppelmayr Group continues to develop its presence in Switzerland. At the start of the new financial year on 1 April 2026, Frey AG Stans will be integrated into Garaventa AG. The centre of excellence for aerial tramways, funiculars, material ropeways and sophisticated rope pulling work and the expert in ropeway controls will thus combine the strengths of both companies.

By combining expertise and processes, synergies within the two companies will be optimally utilised and expanded – particularly in the areas of project management, development, customer service, administration and IT. The jobs in Stans and Sion will be retained and the locations will become branches of Garaventa AG. Existing customer projects and offers will continue seamlessly. Cooperation with long-standing partners will also continue as usual. Frey Stans' proven services and products in the field of ropeway controls will be offered in the Garaventa portfolio in future.

The integration opens up new opportunities for cooperation with customers and partners. The aim is to offer comprehensive ropeway solutions from a single source and to further develop the quality of after-sales service. The integration promotes the joint development of innovative products and digital solutions. At the same time, it consolidates corporate structures, strengthens long-term competitiveness and further enhances the company's attractiveness as an employer.

‘The merger of Frey Stans and Garaventa will create a strong, future-oriented entity. Our customers will benefit from bundled expertise, our employees will enjoy exciting development opportunities, and our innovative strength will be further enhanced,’ says Arno Inauen, CEO of Garaventa.

Frey Stans has been one of the world's leading suppliers of ropeway control systems for decades and is renowned for its reliability, continuity and technical expertise. A current example of this is the successful implementation of the world's steepest aerial tramway, Stechelberg–Mürren on the Schilthorn. The Connect control system and the ESFOR energy storage system from Frey Stans were used in this Garaventa project. Both technologies will be further developed within the combined organisation in the future.

‘The integration into Garaventa AG is a logical next step in our long-standing collaboration. With our expertise in the field of ropeway controls, we are making a targeted contribution to the company and jointly strengthening our market position,’ says Benedikt Wittwer, CEO of Frey Stans.

Garaventa AG is a Swiss company headquartered in Rotkreuz, with additional sites in Goldau, Uetendorf and Sion. It is the Swiss branch of the Doppelmayr Group and has established itself as the competence center with international reach for reversible aerial tramway, funicular railway and material ropeway systems as well as for complex rope installation work. Garaventa is also responsible for all ropeway projects of the Doppelmayr Group in Switzerland. All functions and competencies for special ropeways are made available to the Group worldwide from Switzerland. Garaventa employs 420 people in Switzerland. From 1 April 2026, the approximately 120 employees of Frey Stans will also belong to Garaventa.

Frey AG Stans is a Swiss company based in Stans. The company is part of the Doppelmayr Group and specialises in the development, manufacture and commissioning of control, drive and monitoring systems for ropeways. Frey Stans is considered an expert in ropeway controls and employs around 120 people. Frey AG Stans will be integrated into Garaventa AG on 1 April 2026.